White: GSP is 2nd Best Pound-for-Pound

In the biggest fight in MMA history, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre put on one of the most dominating performances ever seen at UFC 94 on Saturday night. As great as GSP looked, it still wasn’t good enough for president Dana White to place the French-Canadian atop the ever-changing list for best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

“No, I still wouldn’t call him pound-for-pound the best in the world, but I would say … he is No. 2. No doubt about it,” White said. “Anderson Silva has been annihilating everybody for a long time, Georges has some work to do now.”

He does have some work still ahead of him, and the UFC did a great job of introducing GSP’s next great challenge. The 170-pound top contender Thiago Alves, who is known for his unprecedented high level of confidence, looked a little star-struck when he stood opposite the champion in his Octagon interview.

However, White feels it will be one of the toughest challenges in St-Pierre’s career saying, “If Georges takes out Thiago Alves, then he’s on his way.”

Although Alves may have sported the “deer in headlights” look on his face, he sounded a lot more confident about his chances against the champ later in the night, even taking some mental notes on where he may be able to expose St-Pierre.

“[St. Pierre] won’t be able to take me down that easy,” Alves stated. “I’m ready to defend his takedowns. I saw some things tonight I can use to my advantage.

“GSP is a strong fighter, but people will be surprised by my standup. I will be able to stand with him.”

Alves will be the most physically imposing opponent GSP has faced thus far, however he is up to the challenge.

“I’m a very proud champion,” St. Pierre said. “I always look for the best challenge and right now the best guy is Thiago Alves. I look forward to fighting him.”